Lana Get’s Her Talk

A cinematic observation of Indigenous artist Lana Whiskeyjack as she works to complete a mixed-media sculpture of a tortured face, the face of her uncle (centre panel of triptych). Lana calls the piece Lost My Talk. This brief study of an artist and her work helps us come to some understanding of the trauma experienced by Canada’s Indigenous people in the IRS system, of its enduring effects on the children of Survivors, and of one woman’s journey to recover what was lost: dignity, identity, and voice. A story of resilience, Lana’s journey speaks of the power of Indigenous “ways of being” in our time.

There and Back

Director: Naseem LoloieRuntime: 45 minutesCountry of origin: Canada

This documentary about family, heritage, immigration and the importance of learning where we come from follows filmmaker Naseem Loloie as she travels to Iran – her parents’ home country – along with her father, a Canadian immigrant, on a mission to learn about the country’s history and culture. From the historic city of Isfahan, to the desert landscape of Yazd, to the bustling capital Tehran, Naseem embarks on an eye-opening journey of self-realization and reflection, as she connects with the family she never knew, uncovers the story and struggles of her parents’ immigration, and discovers the family origins that shape her identity.